Washington
Best window·Tuesday 8AM–11AM·5ft·Fair
Here's how the next 5 days are shaping up at Cape Flattery, Washington. Each day is rated based on breaking wave height, swell period, and wind — updated hourly from the latest NOAA GFS run.
Tue, Jun 30: 5–6ft, 9s period, rated Fair. Consistent 6-7ft surf through the day on WNW swell at 9s with glassy conditions. Afternoon breeze fills in to 7mph.
Wed, Jul 1: 5–6ft, 9s period, rated Poor - Fair. Early morning is your best window — 6-7ft waves on WNW swell at 8s with moderate WNW wind around 8mph. Swell fades as the day goes on, dropping to 4-5ft by PM.
Thu, Jul 2: 2–3ft, 17s period, rated Poor - Fair. Slim pickings today — 2-3ft and poor - fair with light winds out of the S.
Fri, Jul 3: 2–3ft, 17s period, rated Poor - Fair. Slim pickings today — 2-3ft and poor - fair with calm winds.
Sat, Jul 4: 2–3ft, 15s period, rated Poor - Fair. Dawn patrol is the move — 2-3ft on W swell at 8s with light SSW winds. Conditions go downhill through the afternoon.
Cape Flattery sits at the extreme northwestern tip of Washington state, the most northwesterly point of the contiguous United States, where the Strait of Juan de Fuca meets the open Pacific Ocean. Powerful, raw swells generated across the vast North Pacific arrive here largely unfiltered, producing heavy, unpredictable waves that break over rugged rocky shelves and reef formations. The remote wilderness setting within the Makah Reservation means this spot rewards only the most committed and experienced surfers willing to make the journey to one of the most isolated surf locations in Washington.
Wave heights shown are breaking wave heights — the actual rideable wave size at this spot.
The current wave height at Cape Flattery is 5-6ft with a 8.7s swell period. Wind is WNW at 3mph and conditions are rated Fair. The forecast updates hourly so you can plan your session around the cleanest windows.
The current breaking wave height at Cape Flattery is 5-6ft, produced by a 6.6ft WNW primary swell at 9s, a 1ft SW secondary swell at 15s, a 0.3ft SW tertiary swell at 20s. Breaking wave height is the actual rideable wave size at the shore — calculated from offshore swell data using this spot's coastal bathymetry — not the raw buoy reading.
Based on the current 5-day forecast, the best window to surf Cape Flattery is Tuesday from 8 AM to 11 AM with 5ft waves, a 8.7s swell period, and conditions rated Fair. Check the hourly forecast for updates as conditions can shift.
Cape Flattery works best with a W swell and E winds. Offshore winds groom the face of the wave, while onshore winds turn it sloppy. Cross-offshore conditions usually produce the cleanest shape.
Tide plays a big role at Cape Flattery. Mid tide works for most beach breaks, while reef and point breaks often prefer higher or lower stages. Use the tide chart above to line up your session with the swell peak.
Cape Flattery is a point with a rock bottom, suited to expert surfers. Cape Flattery sits at the extreme northwestern tip of Washington state, the most northwesterly point of the contiguous United States, where the Strait of Juan de Fuca meets the open Pacific Ocean. Powerful, raw swells generated across the vast North Pacific arrive here largely unfiltered, producing heavy, unpredictable waves that break over rugged rocky shelves and reef formations. The remote wilderness setting within the Makah Reservation means this spot rewards only the most committed and experienced surfers willing to make the journey to one of the most isolated surf locations in Washington.
The prime season at Cape Flattery is fall, when swell direction, wind patterns, and water temps line up most consistently. Outside the peak season you can still score, but you'll need to watch the forecast closely for the right windows.
Common hazards at Cape Flattery include rocks, strong currents, cold water, remote location, limited access, large surf, kelp, wildlife, restricted tribal land access. Always check conditions before paddling out, respect local etiquette, and never surf alone if you're unfamiliar with the break.
Our Cape Flattery forecast uses NOAA GFS and other weather models combined with spot-specific bathymetry to calculate breaking wave heights. Short-range (1-3 day) forecasts are most reliable. Extended forecasts show general trends. Visit /public/accuracy for per-spot and regional performance metrics.
